‘So proud of my son’: Usher celebrates Cinco beginning his Howard journey
TheGrio...
Usher documented the milestone as his 18-year-old son joined Howard University’s incoming Class of 2030.
Usher is officially an HBCU dad after his eldest son, Usher “Cinco” Raymond V, began his freshman year at Howard University. Usher’s son at Howard University joins a campus recently recognized for career success and a freshman class that arrived after a turbulent summer of enrollment changes.
HBCU Gameday reported that Usher and Cinco’s mother, celebrity stylist Tameka Foster, helped their 18-year-old son move into his dorm and attended Howard’s Freshman Pinning Ceremony, a traditional welcome for new Bison.
The ceremony took place Aug. 9 as part of Bison Week. Howard University describes the event as a formal rite of passage that officially inducts first-year students into the university community. Incoming students receive a Howard pin representing their commitment to the school’s values, academic excellence, leadership and service.
Usher documented the milestone in a vlog-style video shared on social media, encouraging Cinco as he began his new chapter.
“You wanted this. You manifested this. You called this into action,” the Grammy-winning singer told his son before telling him he was proud.
Usher also celebrated Cinco on Instagram, writing, “So proud of my son! U did this. U made this happen,” and encouraging him to show people who he is.
Cinco is the fifth Usher Raymond in his family line, while his nickname has long distinguished him from his famous father. His enrollment at Howard places him in the university’s Class of 2030.
The family milestone came while Usher is co-headlining The “R&B Tour” with Chris Brown. The Howard pinning ceremony fell between tour dates and did not require the singer to postpone or cancel a performance.
Usher has supported HBCU culture throughout his career. Jackson State University’s Sonic Boom of the South joined him during his 2024 Super Bowl halftime performance, and his New Look foundation has spent years supporting young people through leadership and education programs.
Now, Usher’s son at Howard University makes that connection personal. As Cinco starts college at the institution widely known as “The Mecca,” Usher begins a new chapter of his own as an HBCU parent.